Like so many other well-known New York stakes, the Vosburgh Stakes returns home to Belmont Park on Saturday. After a three-year stay at Aqueduct while Belmont Park was being rebuilt, the seven-furlong sprint will be contested at the ultra-modern, newest edition of beautiful Belmont Park. The Vosburgh remains part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, giving the winner a free spot in the Oct. 31 Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland.

1. Moonlight: Ships in from Del Mar after finishing a rallying second in Pat O’Brien Stakes. He has experience racing on both coasts and will be helped if there’s a fast pace. Deserves close attention.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Peter Miller

2. El Grande O: Was just claimed for $110,000 from his original connections. Has struggled in stakes company lately and faces a tough task here.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Ilkay Kantarmaci

3. Senior Officer: Finished in a dead heat for second, a little less than a length behind the winner, in the Forego Stakes at Saratoga. That was his stakes debut and he should be a main threat here.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox                             

4. Doc Sullivan: Originally drew the four post in last year’s edition of the Vosburgh and finished fourth. He’s another who will be closing quickly at the end and will be hoping for a fast pace. Comes off a pair of seconds, including one in a $200,000 John Morrissey, a New York State-bred stakes at Saratoga at this distance.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Amelia Green

5. Bring the Smoke: Faded badly in the Forego and lost by nearly 23 lengths. Previous starts were more encouraging but seems a cut below these.

JOCKEY: Edgard Zayas; TRAINER: Whit Beckman

6. Ignite the Light: Rallied for second in a Parx Racing stakes last time out. Had been racing at the allowance level before that. Could be rounding back to his best and if he can duplicate his winter form at the Big A, he will be a threat.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Rick Dutrow

7. Crazy Mason: Another with a strong late kick. Hasn’t won since the April 5, 2025 Carter Stakes at seven furlongs. That’s nine straight losses, but he has been no worse than fourth in seven of them. Closed nicely to fall three-quarters-of-a-length short when fourth in the Forego last time out. Was second in last year’s Vosburgh and definitely belongs in the exotics.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Gregg Sacco

Buttah (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

8. Contrary Thinking: Was the “rabbit” (designated pacesetter) for Sierra Leone last year in Grade 1 routes, but has blossomed into a solid sprinter since he was sold and moved to Amelia Green’s barn. Has been very effective in allowance optional claimers at this distance and has enough speed to hang around until the end.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Amelia Green

9. Buttah: Fans and announcers love the name. He has thrived since moving to his current trainer’s barn three starts ago and was last seen beating Doc Sullivan in the John Morrissey, He should work out a tasty trip just off the pace here.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Ilkay Kantarmaci

10. T Kraft: Finished in the dead heat with Senior Officer in the Forego. Was a competitive fourth in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes prior to that. Can be a main factor here if he duplicates his last try, which came at 23-1 odds.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott

THE PICK: Senior Officer

LIVE LONGSHOT: Moonlight

SUPERFECTA: 3-7-9-1